Lifestyle/Community
Ask The Rabbi
The question for this week is:
I have a friend who is considering the adoption of a child. What are the requirements to convert the child in order to bring the child up Jewish? In all likelihood the child will be black – are there any problems regarding this?
REBBETZEN ESTEE STERN
Adoption is regarded as a great act of piety and humanity. In fact our Sages say that to raise someone-else’s child and teach him/her Torah, is metaphorically like giving birth to the child.
However, the child will need to fulfil the requirements that are expected from all converts: Immersion in a mikvah; if male, the child will need a bris; acceptance of Torah and mitzvoth – this is the responsibility of the parents to educate the child and his/her commitment to this is given before bar-/batmitzvah.
The Mystics teach that every convert, regardless of colour or background, has a potential ‘Jewish’ soul that is waiting to be revealed to its full glory once converted.
These souls stood at Mount Sinai at the giving of the Torah together with the entire nation of Israel. So, tell them to go ahead, adopt and convert the child, raise him/her like a proper Jew and enjoy the nachas!
Rabbi Ari Kievman replies:
Mazeltov on this courageous and supernatural decision you’ve made. I say supernatural because I believe that it takes an extra dose of love to accept someone else’s child as your own.
The most famous Jew in history, Moses, was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter Batya. The Talmud exclaims that “whoever raises an orphan in their home, Scripture considers it as though they had begotten the child.”
Because of the intricacies of Jewish law you would need to consult the Beth Din for the full details on the process of adoption and conversion according to halacha. Generally, halacha requires circumcision if the child is male, immersion of the child in a mikvah which is when the child receives a Jewish name, and living a Torah lifestyle.
When they reach the age of bar-/batmitzvah, the child would confirm if he or she wishes to continue to be a Jew. If a person converted according to halacha then they are as Jewish as Moses. Race and colour are irrelevant.
From experience, knowing people who thought they were Jewish only to find out much later that they really were not, it can be quite devastating. I’d strongly encourage you to ensure that the child has a proper halachic conversion. Merely being adopted by Jewish parents does not render the child Jewish. Save the child from future frustration and do it right, now.